Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Paint-grade Zincpowder

needle - 24-5-2004 at 12:44

Hello forum.
Have anyone ever tried using paint-grade Zn in a Zn/S composition? The paint-grade Zn contains app. 90% Zn and 10% ZnO. I was also considering purification-possibilities: Can one wash off the ZnO without oxidizing the Zn?
Regards.

There is some data

axehandle - 24-5-2004 at 13:05

on Zn/S propellant here:
http://members.aol.com/ricanakk/propel.html

But if I were you, I'd start with some KNO3/sugar compound. Zn/S has a lousy specific impulse and doesn't lend itself easily to forming a solid fuel grain.

I can personally recommend KNO3/sorbitol/Fe2O3. It's non-hygroscopic, can be easily cast and has a decent specific impulse. There is data on it here:
http://members.aol.com/ricbnakk/sorbchem.html

The addition of Fe2O3 (1..2%) is my own idea, it seems to double the burn rate.


[Edited on 2004-5-24 by axehandle]

needle - 25-5-2004 at 04:48

Actually, a intended to make Zn/S flash, and not use it as rocket propellant. But very interessting about the Fe2O3-addition you mention - guess i'd better try that some time...

axehandle - 25-5-2004 at 05:16

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Zn/S would work as a flash composition --- if it would, it wouldn't have been used as a rocket propellant. Noone likes a rocket that explodes at takeoff, least of all the rocket builder.

vulture - 25-5-2004 at 10:31

My Zn/S rockets (designed for BP use) always exploded on ignition...

So yes, it can work as a flashpowder if your zinc is fine enough.

Whoever, practical discussion of energetic materials is not allowed here...

jimwig - 30-5-2004 at 15:57

but the answer to the question about seperating the two components of paint zinc is?????

cause somehow I wound with about 50 pounds of the stuff and am very interested how it can be utilized pyrophetically. :)SP?):

Mumbles - 31-5-2004 at 10:33

You could always melt the mixture. You can either filter the ZnO off magically somehow, or let it solidify. The ZnO will tend to be congregated near the top.

You could try heating and reducing with H2.

Neither are very practical, and wont leave you with a powder. My final suggestion is to try it with the impurity, or make it all ZnO and make smoke devices. Some smoke mixes even have both ZnO and Zn metal, so you are a step ahead.